Importance of Jumu'ah Salaat

1. ALLAH Ta'ala says in the Quran: يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوۡمِ ٱلۡجُمُعَةِ فَٱسۡعَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُواْ ٱلۡبَيۡعَۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ (سُوۡرَةُ الجُمُعَة Translation : "O you who believe! When the call for jumu'ah salaat is made, hasten towards the remembrance of ALLAH Ta'ala and leave all transactions. This is best for you if only you know. "

2 . Rasulullah (ALLAH bless him & give him peace) said: "The person who has a bath on Friday, purifies himself as far as possible, applies oil to his hair, applies perfume, leaves for the musjid, when he arrives at the musjid he does not sit down by removing anyone from his place, offers as many nafl salaats as possible, when the imam delivers the khutbah he remains silent - then his sins from the previous jumu'ah till now will be forgiven. " (Bukhari)

3 . Rasulullah (ALLAH bless him & give him peace) said: "The person who has a bath on Friday and goes early to the masjid on foot, and not by a vehicle, listens to the khutbah and does not do any foolish act while it is being delivered, will get the reward of one year's ibaadah, one year's fasting, and one year's salaat; for every step that he takes. " (Tirmidhi)

4 . Hadrat Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah radiallahu anhuma narrate that they heard Rasulullah (ALLAH bless him & give him peace) saying: "People should abstain from leaving out jumu'ah salaat If not, ALLAH Ta'ala will put a seal over their hearts whereby they will fall into severe negligence. " (Muslim)

5 . Rasulullah (ALLAH bless him & give him peace) said: "The person who misses out three jumu'ah's without any valid reason, ALLAH Ta'ala puts a seal over his heart. " (Tirmidhi) In another narration it is mentioned that ALLAH Ta'ala becomes displeased with him.

6 . Taariq bin Shihaab radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah (ALLAH bless him & give him peace) said: "The jumu'ah salaat with jama'at is a duty which is wajib on every Muslim with the exception of the following four persons: (i) a slave, that is the one who is owned by someone according to the rules laid down by the Shariah, (ii) a woman, (iii) an immature boy, (iv) a sick person. " (Abu Daud)

7 . Ibn Umar radiallahuanhu narrates that Rasulullah (ALLAH bless him & give him peace) said the following in regard to those who leave out jumu'ah: "It is my earnest desire that I appoint someone as imam in my place while I go and burn the homes of those who do not attend the jumu'ah salaat. " (Muslim) A similar Hadith has also been related with regard to leaving out jama'at. We have mentioned this Hadith previously.

8 . Ibn Abbas radiallahuanhu narrates that Rasulullah (ALLAH blesshim & give him peace) said: "The person who leaves out jumu'ah salaat without a valid reason is written down as a hypocrite in a book that is absolutely protected from any changes and modifications. " (Mishkaat) In other words, he will be labelled as a hypocrite forever. However, if he repents or ALLAH forgives him solely out of His mercy, then this is another matter.

9 . Hadrat Jaabir radiallahuanhu narrates that Rasulullah (ALLAH bless him & give him peace) said: "Jumu'ah salaat becomes obligatory on the person who believes in ALLAH Ta'ala and the last day, except for the sick, musafir, woman, child, and a slave. If a person occupies himself in something unnecessary, or in some transaction, ALLAH Ta'ala also turns away from him and does not worry about him and ALLAH is worthy of all praise. " (Mishkaat) [Musafir means traveller]